Neighborhoods lining up for city's cameras

If Columbus comes calling on the South Linden neighborhood, surveillance cameras in hand, George Walker Jr. will welcome the city with arms wide open.

If Columbus comes calling on the South Linden neighborhood, surveillance cameras in hand, George Walker Jr. will welcome the city with arms wide open.

"I hope they put them all over the place," said Walker, president of the South Linden Area Commission. "I want the Linden community to feel safe."

Other neighborhood leaders also say, "Bring 'em on."

But the leader of the local police union notes that the cameras, although likely a crime deterrent, can't replace officers on the street.

"Crimes do get caught on tape," said Jim Gilbert, president of Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9. "(But) you still need a police officer to respond to crime."

Overextended police officers have asked for more officers, cruisers and equipment for years. In the meantime, some neighborhoods are clamoring for the cameras, as Mayor Michael B. Coleman proceeds with test programs to add video surveillance equipment to prevent or capture crime as it happens.

Coleman wants to try out the cameras at Downtown festivals and in some neighborhoods. He also wants his staff to determine whether to place cameras at recreation centers and parks.

Earlier this week, Coleman said he wasn't sure whether the city would have cameras ready to test during Red White & Boom on July 3.

Some neighborhood leaders have met with Coleman and many generally agree with the idea. That includes Dave Paul, president of the Northland Community Council.

"Some folks may perceive this as a Big Brother initiative," Paul said.

But he said leaders in his area have been positive about the idea.

"Most folks agree at this point there are some serious issues to be addressed," Paul said. "We have clusters of crime. A pilot project should be given an opportunity to be tested."

Three areas that Paul suggests for cameras: business areas at the I-71 interchanges at Morse Road and Rt. 161, and Tamarack Circle in Forest Park East.

Parts of the Hilltop community also want to give the cameras a try, said Gary L. Baker II, chairman of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission.

People he's spoken to seem to be split on the idea. "They really love the idea or really hate it," he said.

Columbus City Councilman Andrew Ginther, who leads the safety committee, said Driving Park neighborhood leaders told him last week that they want cameras. And leaders in the Reeb-Hosack community on the South Side told him much the same before Coleman announced his plans last week.

But if the city is to proceed, the program has to be funded properly to determine whether it truly works, he said.

Gilbert, who said the Coleman administration has not spoken with the union about the idea, said he wants to see how many officers could be hired with the amount of money the city would spend on cameras.

The city is just starting to investigate the cost, said Barb Seckler, deputy public safety director.